2018 BMW X4 SUV

7.5

Overview

“Sports Activity Coupe” is the name of the segment defined by BMW itself for a Compact SUV like the 2018 BMW X4. BMW has offered the features of an SUV with the comfort of a coupe in 2018 X4. The X4 is very similar to the larger X6. Both share coupe-like profile and plenty of styling features.

The engine choice for BMW X4 starts from the 240 hp in the xdrive28i and ends with a 355-hp that drives the sporty M40i. All-Wheel drive feature is standard on all the trims. All X4’s are mated to 8-speed automatic transmission.

This is the second generation X4 after the launch of its first generation model in 2014 and the xDrive28i version of the X4 is priced at $47,600, being the costliest in the segment. It is made on the same platform as that of the BMW X3 and many features resemble the same. Let’s find out more of the car in a bit detailed manner.

M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Expert Review

carhp editorOctober 17, 2018

7.5

Overall Rating

7.4/10Features

8.1/10Engine

7.1/10Fuel Economy

6.3/10Interior

8.1/10Exterior

The 2018 model is the second generation X4, the first being launched in 2014 and the xDrive28i version of the X4 is priced at $47,600, being the costliest in the segment. It is made on the same platform as that of the BMW X3 and many features resemble the same. Let’s find out more about the car in a detailed manner.

Features

7.4/10

The BMW X4 is available in two trims viz. the xDrive28i and the M40i which includes the M sports package of the BMW. The xDrive28i is equipped with BMW's iDrive infotainment system, and the M40i comes packed with a Premium Harman Kardon music system. The tilt and telescopic steering is a standard in both the trims and same with the 19-inch alloy wheels.

The X4 is a ridiculous car to begin with. Its best to buy the M40i variant and keep the ridiculousness going.

Engine

8.1/10

"The gearbox does a great job of selecting and holding the right gear in most any condition, but the shift paddles are always at the ready when the driver seeks a little more involvement." -Car And Driver

Engine and Transmission

As mentioned earlier, the xDrive28i is equipped with a 2.0LTwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 240hp power and 260 lb-ft of torque. It comes mated with an 8-Speed Automatic transmission. It certainly gives the driver that thrilling feel of a sporty SUV with its powerful engine.

Models

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

MSRP

$47,600

$45,500

$42,050

$41,500

Engine

2.0L 4-cylinder

2.0L 4-cylinder

2.0L 4-cylinder

2.0L 4-cylinder

Transmission

8-speed automatic

7-speed automated manual

9-speed shiftable automatic

8-speed shiftable automatic

Power

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

241 hp @ 5500 rpm

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

260 ft-lbs @ 1450 rpm

273 ft-lbs @ 1600 rpm

273 ft-lbs @ 1300 rpm

258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm

An interesting observation here is that the X4 is the one with least horsepower in the class as against Audi’s Q5 Premium (252 HP) and Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum (250 HP). All cars here offer the same configuration, ie, a 2 liter turbocharged inline 4 engine, and fall neatly into the same price bracket, all cheaper than the Beemer.

Acceleration

The xDrive28i’s 2-Liter engine is quite responsive and the unique thing about it is that the 260 lb-ft torque is produced from a range as low as 1450 rpm to 4800 rpm which makes it stay strong against its rivals. That’s the reason for it being the second fastest car among its rivals to reach 60 mph from zero mph.

Models

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

0-60 MPH

6.0 sec

5.9 sec

6.3 sec

7.3 sec

Quarter mile

13.6 sec

13.5 sec

14.0 sec

15.5 sec

Engine

2.0L

2.0L

2.0L

2.0L

Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)

7.6

7.1

7.3

7.4

The Audi Q5 Premium is slightly ahead of the X4, a margin so insignificant it could simply be neglected. Volvo disappoints here by being the slowest by far.

Ride and Handling

BMW has implemented its own “Intelligent All Wheel Drive System”, the xDrive that works with a dynamic stability control, powering all four wheels independently. It is almost the same technology as the torque vectoring system which is implemented in the Mercedes and Range Rover Sport.

The ride quality and comfort of the BMW X4 is immaculate and its precisely smooth handling makes the driver fall in love with it. The suspension in the X4 iDrive28i is a smoother one while the one in the M40i is more firm and stiffer suspension to get it sportier than its base trim. The cabin insulation is amazing and there is very little noise inside the cabin even at highway speeds.

Braking

The braking system of the 2018 X4 is fantastic with shorter intervals. Since the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system enables power distribution to each of the four wheels, it also has a relative effect on the braking of the X4 making it responsive, which gives it a perfect touch.

Model

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

Brake Front (in)

12.9

13.3

13.5

13.6

Brake Rear (in)

13.0

13.0

12.6

12.6

Curb Weight (lbs)

4130

4045

3891

4058

60-0 MPH (ft.)

123

112

115

130

The Audi has the strongest braking force, owing to the balanced sizes for both the front and the rear discs. It comes to halt in just 112 feet, great for any car, let alone an SUV.

Fuel Economy

7.1/10

The BMW has proven itself in the past, winning over its rivals hands-down in terms of fuel economy. But, that’s not the case with the X4. The X4, which gives a fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway manages to face the heat with its competitors with ease.

Model

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

MPG (city)

20

23

22

22

MPG (highway)

28

27

28

28

MPG (combined)

23

25

23

24

When it comes to combined fuel economy, the Audi Q5 Premium stands out to be on top with 25 mpg followed by Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum (24 mpg) and the X4 equals it to that of Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 with 23 mpg.

Interior

6.3/10

"The X4 seats five people. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and they have plenty of support to hold you firmly in place." -Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The low seating position adds more to the sporty feel of the car. The electronically adjustable bolsters in the seats give amazing comfort to the passengers. But, the rear seats are not just up to the mark in terms of space. There is not much of thigh support for the passengers on the rear which means that it’s not going to be easy during long trips.

The rear is just cramped and poor in space. There is an ample amount of legroom in the rear but the headroom is not just enough for adults, the reason being the dip of the roofline to the rear.

Model

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Passenger Volume(ft cube)

103.4

102.0

102.8

102.8

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

40.0/57.2/40.4

41.7/57.7/41.0

37.8/57.3/40.8

38/58.2/41.5

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

37.4/56.0/34.8

39.3/56.5/37.8

38.5/56.5/37.3

38/56.3/38

All the cars in this segment seat 5 passengers. While not exactly cramped, the GLC offers the least amount of headroom inside the cabin. Rear seat passengers would enjoy themselves the most in the XC60, owing to its generous legroom.

Infotainment System

The iDrive infotainment system in the BMW X4 uses the latest control system enabled with fingerprint recognition. A few other infotainment features include:

GPS- enabled navigation system.

Apple Carplay.

Wifi hotspot.

Voice input messaging.

Bluetooth phone and streaming audio.

A nine-speaker CD player with HD radio and USB-auxiliary input.

Harman Kardon music system with satellite radio.

Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity in the X4 is 33% less than that of its platform-mate X3. The dropping roofline creeps into the rear causing a remarkable decrease in the cargo capacity.

Model

BMW X4 xDrive 28i

Audi Q5 Premium

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

Volume behind 2nd row (cube ft.)

17.7

26.8

17.6

22.4

2nd row folded (cube ft.)

49.4

60.4

56.5

63.3

It is just ahead of the Mercedes Benz GLC 300 with regard to cargo capacity but substantially lower than the Audi Q5 Premium and the Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum. The Volvo can fit in almost anything with its second row folded, great for weekend picnics.

Exterior

8.1/10

"Props to the design team, then, but the question remains: Why choose this over the less costly, more useful X3? The answer, in characteristic BMW fashion, is that the styling signifies a sportier driving experience." -Car and Driver

Dimension and Weight

The 2018 X4 has almost the same length as that of the BMW X3 while the major difference is found at the rear end, for the reason of being called a coupe. The dropping roofline from the front to the rear cuts down the rear headroom.

The crash tests are not available yet, so the NHTSA and IIHS results are not available.

Competition

BMW X4 vs Audi Q5 Premium

The Audi Q5 Premium has the engine refinement much better than that of the X4. The Q5 is priced at $41,500 while the X4 is clearly expensive. The Q5 is certainly a classic SUV with amazing ride quality but it is not as sportier as the X4, especially the M40i version of the X4.

BMW X4 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is priced at $40,050. In terms of specifications and design, the X4 and GLC 300 are almost identical. So, how far is it wise to put in $7,000 extra to buy the X4 is a serious question. The high pricing for the 2018 X4 looks completely unfair in this highly competitive segment.

BMW X4 vs Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum

Priced at $41,500, the XC60 T5 Momentum has an 8-speed 2.0L Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 250 HP and 285 lb-ft of torque. The T5 has a slightly more powerful engine than that of the X4. The T5 has a top class safety equipment but the design of the car looks like a compromise. On the other hand, the X4 has got the best of looks and design and top class interiors.

Final Verdict

If you are fastidious about the design of the car, then the X4 is definitely a good choice as it has got a trendy design with every detailing of a decent SUV. But, that’s not all. It is just a simple Compact SUV and it’s priced heavily than its rivals. The 2018 BMW X4 holds a powerful engine with amazing handling but lacks on the usability of a typical SUV over the undersized cargo and narrow rear compartment. So, you have fair enough options in the segment to look for in the form of the Q5 Premium, GLC 300 and the XC60 T5 Momentum.